Quantifying the Ability of Magnetohydrodynamic Models to Reproduce Observed Ionospheric Current Systems

Asymmetries in ionospheric current systems are driven both by seasonal effects and diurnal differences in conductance. In this study, we examine some of these effects to investigate large scale asymmetries and their variations in the geospace system. For example, we find that although the magnitude of the total electrojet and Birkeland current vary with season, the relationship of those currents is independent of the seasons. Another finding is that the ratio between the magnitude of the electrojets in the sunlit ionosphere and dark ionosphere is significantly different during winter and summer. We will also compare findings from observations to simulations of conditions corresponding to different seasons.